T cell proliferation and lymphokine production are triggered by occupation of the TCR by antigen, followed by a costimulatory signal that is delivered by a ligand expressed on antigen presenting cells. The B7-related cell surface proteins CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) are expressed on antigen presenting cells, bind the homologous T cell receptors CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4) and CD28 and trigger costimulatory signals for optimal T cell activation. CTLA-4 shares 31% overall amino acid identity with CD28 and it has been proposed that CD28 and CTLA-4 are functionally redundant. SLAM is a novel receptor on T cells that, when engaged, potentiates T cell expansion in a CD28-independent manner. B7, also designated BB1, is another ligand or counterreceptor for CD28 and CTLA-4 that is expressed on the antigen-presenting cell.
